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Docs Still Say Malpractice Fears Often Add to Health-Care Costs

By

Katherine Hobson

Apr 13, 2010 6:25 pm ET

During the health-care debate, the impact of medical malpractice suits was controversial, with the Republicans saying it was a key part of the escalating cost issue and the Democrats saying, not so much. For its part, the CBO estimated tort-law changes would cut only about 0.5% from U.S. health-care spending.

A study now reinforces the long-held belief of many doctors that malpractice -– or fear of same — is really pretty important on the cost front …